Flow control mechanism



Oct. 17, 1939. F. BRAUNGART.

` FLow AGoNTRoL. MECHANISM Filed April 4, 1938 N Ve-N To fe Fe/DoL/N QAU/VQHQT BY y bbw. aduana/.L TTQN Patented oef. 17, 1939 2,176,243

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE FLOW CONTROL MECHANISM Fridolin Braungart, Bakersfield, Calif.

Application April 4, 1938, Serial No. 199,865

11 Claims. (Cl. 299-69) This invention relates generally to flow consprinkler head I-I. The upper end of the section trol mechanisms, and more particularly to de- I4 iS closed by a cap l5 vfrom which radially vices for automatically regulating the quantity project Sprinkler pipes Iii-I6 having Sprinkler of fluid discharged from an outlet of a conduit. heads I'I-I'I at their angularly DrOJ'eCtrlg Outer An object of the invention is to provide a ends. 5 mechanism particularly adapted, although not Also threaded into the nipple l2 and CO-a-Xally necessarily, for use with overhead sprinkler irrirelated to the section I3 is a metering tube i8 gating systems, to discharge a predetermined the upper end portion of which projects freely uniform quantity of water from each of a multin'Orthe retely SeCtOl'l I4 and iS embraced by a 10 plicity of outlets in the system, irrespective of peeking ring i9 confined against an annular 10l the different distances of the outlets from the Shoulder 20 in the SeCtOrl i4, by a ring nut 2i pressure pump of the system, whereby to autofreely receiving the tube I8 and threaded into the matically compensate for the pressure drop in section i4, whereby to provide a watertight seal the system from fluid friction and viscosity, and between the tube I8 and section I4, yet permit to thereby enable the part of the system most rotation of the latter. f l5y remote from the pump to deliver the requisite FXed irl the rotary Section I4 rl any Suitable quantity of water for irrigation, as well as to premanner is an impeller 22 in the form of a cylinvent the waste of water from outlets near the drical body, the periphery of which is provided pump. with one or more helical grooves 23 opening to Another object of the invention is to provide the erldS 0f the bOdy and decreasing ri Width 20 a mechanism of the above described character eS Well es in pitch from the lower or inlet end of which is comparatively inexpensive, simple and the bOdy t0 ,S upper or outlet end. The upper durable in construction, accurate and dependable wall of the grooves 23 is concave in Cross section, in operation, and which is easily regulated to vary 21S ndeated ,at 24 in Figure 5, and the grOOVeS 25 the volume of water ow from the outlet with CO-aot with the internal annular wall of the sec- 25 which it is associated. tion I4 to dene helical water channels C so With these and other objects in View, only one that Water from the tllbe I8 rrlprlgrlg against form of the invention will be described, and its the Wellsv 0f the grOOVeS will tend to displaee the nove] features pointed out in Clainls, Sprinkler head H aXially upward, and t0 BeCt In the accompanying drawing, rotation Of the head. 30

Figure 1 is a Vertical central sectional view of From the lower end of the impeller 22 projects the flow c0ntr01 mechanism applied to an outIet co-axially therewith a conical valving element 25. of an irrigating system; The upper end of the tube I8 which is beveled to Figure 2 is a fragmentary view of the ow conform a Valve seat 26 is adapted to co-act with the trol mechanism in side elevation; element 25- t0 Vary the ow of water from the 35 Figures 3 and 4 are horizontal sectional views tube I8 as the sprinkler head H is moved axially taken, respectively, on the lines 3 3 and 4 4 downward from the extreme position shown in 0f Figure 1; Figure l, wherein a maximum flow of water from Figure 5 is a fragmentary detail sectional view the tube is permitted. The axial position of the taken on the line 5-5 of Figure 1. sprinkler head is under the control of an actuat- O Referring specifically to the drawing, the ining mechanism which functions in a manner to Vention is shown associated with one of a multibe later described. This actuating mechanism is plicity of outlets of an irrigating system having composed of a pair of arms 2'I-21 having adoverhead sprinklers and including a main water justable weights 28-28 and being pivotally pipe I0 leading from the pressure side of the mounted adjacent one end at 29 between pairs pump (not shown) and laid on the ground to of ears 30--30 of an annulus 3I constructed in follow the contour thereof, or buried in the two sections clamped together by bolts 32. ground as desired. At predetermined intervals, The annulus 3I is clamped on the outer race the pipe l0 is provided with outlets, each in the of an anti-friction bearing 33, the inner race of form of a vertical branch pipe II on the upper which is xed to the stationary section I3, whereend of which is secured a nipple I2. by to mount the annulus for rotation. Pivoted Threadedly secured to the nipple I2 and coat 34 to the upper ends of the arms 2'I are the axially related to the pipe II is a relatively large lower ends of adjustable links 35 in the form of and stationary tubular section I3 telescopically externally threaded rods on which are nuts 36 receiving a rotary tubular inlet section I4 of a and 31 disposed at opposite ends of sleeves 38 through which the links freely extend. The sleeves are provided with bosses 39 through which extend pins 40 to pivotally connect the links 35 to ears 4I on a bracket 42 constructed in two sections secured together by bolts 43 which clamp the bracket to the rotary section I4. It will thus be clear that rotational movement imparted to the sprinkler head H by the impeller 22 will effect rotation of the annulus 3l, arms 21, and links 35 as a unit. It will be noted that the weights 28 maintain the arms in the vertical position shown, in the absence of water pressure in the line Il), so as to hold the sprinkler head H in its uppermost extreme position wherein the valving element 25 permits' the maximum flow of water from the tube I8. l

The operation of the invention isas follows:

Let it be assumed that water is being delivered to the main pipe I0 at a pump pressure sufficient to provide a predetermined minimum pressure at that outlet most distant from the pump. It is to be understood that a flow control mechanism as above described is provided at each outlet, and that the weights 28 and valving element 25 of each mechanism are adjusted to obtain the discharge of a predetermined quantity of water from the respective sprinkler heads I-I under the pressure available at the respective outlets.

Considering any one outlet, the water discharging from the metering tube IB will be converted into an annular stream by the conical valving element 25, and delivered to the water channels C so as to impinge against the helical surfaces of the grooves 23 and effect rotation of the sprinkler head and the arms 21 as a unit.

In accordancewithsthe speed ofv rotation of the sprinkler head, which is dependent on the pressure of water acting upon the impeller 2v2, the arms will be swung outwardly about their respective axes v29 by centrifugal force so as to coact with the links 35 in moving the sprinkler head axially ldownward as it rotates, to thus reduce the effective size of the tube I8 until the predetermined minimum quantity yof water for which the mechanism has been adjusted is being discharged.

It will be clear that according asthe water pressure increases or-decreases for any -reason,'closing or opening movement of the valving element 25 will be effected automatically to such extent as to constantly maintain a uniform volume of flow from the sprinkler head. Thus, should the water ypressure increase, the speed of rotation of thel sprinkler head will be proportionately increased' so as to proportionately reduce the effective opening of the tube I8 by the valving element -25 sulficiently to compensate for the increased velocity of the water. Conversely, should the water pressure decrease, the speed of rotation of the sprinkler head will be decreased, so as to proportionately increase the effective opening of the tube I8 by the valving element.

It will also be clear that by adjusting the nuts 36 and 31 on the links 35 so as to shift the sleeves 38 thereon, the initial position of the sprinkler head, and hence of the valving element 25 axially with respect tothe seat 26 will be varied in order to regulate the mechanism to ldischarge water from the sprinkler head in any predetermined quantity up to a maximum, irrespective of the water pressure at the head.

In order to prevent yretardation of the axial movement of the section I4 by air between the section I3 and tube I8, an air port 44 is provided in the section I3.

What is claimed is:

1. In an overhead irrigating system, an outlet adapted for connection to a source of water under pressure; a Sprinkler head; means mounting said head co-axially of said outlet for rotation and axial movement in water sealed connection to the outlet so as to receive water therefrom; a valving element carried by said head and co-actabile with said outlet to vary the effective size of the latter in response to axial movement of the head; an impeller operatively associated with said head to respond to the pressure of water at said outlet, by effecting rotation of the head and moving the latter axially in a direction for the valving element to increase the effective size of the outlet; and means operatively connected to said head, and responsive to centrifugal force generated by rotation of the head, to move the latter axially in a direction for the valving element to decrease the effective size of the outlet.

2. In an overhead irrigating system, an outlet adapted for connection to a source of water under pressure; a sprinkler head; means mounting said head co-axially of said outlet for rotation and axial movement in water sealed connection to the outlet so as to receive water therefrom; a valving element carried by said head' and co-aotable with said outlet to vary the effective size of the latter in response to axial movement of the head; an impeller operatively associated with said head to respond to the pressure of water at said outlet, by effecting rotation of the head and moving the latter axially in a direction for the valving element to increase the effective size of the outiet; means operatively connected to said head, and responsive to centrifugal force generated by rotation of the head, to move the latter axially in a direction for the valving element to decrease the effective size of the outlet; and means by which the last means can be adjusted to vary the maximum open position of the valving element.

3. In an overhead irrigating system, an outlet adapted for connection to a source of water under pressure; a sprinkler head including a tubular inlet section; means ooi-acting with said section to mount the latter co-axially of the outlet for rotational and axial movements in water sealed connection to the outlet so as to receive water therefrom'; a lvalving element carried by said section, and co-actable 'with said outlet to vary the effective size of the latter in response to axial movement of the inlet section; an impeller in said section operable by'water discharging from said outlet, to rotate the sprinkler head and move the latter axially in a direction for the valving element to increase the effective size of the outlet; and means operatively connected to said head, and responsive to centrifugal force, to move the head' axially in a direction to decrease the effective size of the outlet.

' 4. In an overhead irrigating system, an outlet adapted for connection to a source of water under pressure; a sprinkler head 'including a tubular inlet section; means co-acting with said section to mount the latter co-axially of the outlet for rotational and axial movements in water sealed connection to the outlet so as tti receive water therefrom; a valving element'carried by said section, and co-actable with said outlet to vary the effective size ofthe latter in response to axial movement of the inlet section; an impeller in said section operable by water discharging from said outlet, to rotate the sprinkler head and move the latter axially in a direction for the valving element to increase the effective size of the outlet; weighted members mounted to revolve about the axis of said section, and to move relatively thereto under the action of centrifugal force; and links pivotally connectedv to said section and to the weighted members, to be operated thereby and move the head axially in a direction to decrease the effective size of the outlet.

5. In an overhead irrigating system, an outlet adapted for connection to a source of water under pressure; a sprinkler head including a tubular inlet section; means co-acting with said section to mount the latter co-axially of the outlet for rotational and axial movements in water sealed connection to the outlet so as to receive water therefrom; a valving element carried by said section, and co-actable with said outlet to vary the effective size of the latter in response to axial movement of the inlet section; an impeller in said section operable by water discharging from said outlet, to rotate the sprinkler head and move the latter axially in a direction for the valving element to increase the effective size of the outlet; weighted members mounted to revolve about the axis of said section, and to move relatively thereto under the action of centrifugal force; links pivotally connected to said section and to the weighted members, to be operated thereby and move the head axially in a direction to decrease the effective size of the outlet; and means by which the effective length of the links can be varied, to vary the maximum open position of said'valving element.

6. In an overhead irrigating system,` an outlet pipe including a metering tube having a valve seat; a sprinkler head including a tubular inlet section; a second tubular section supported by the outlet pipe co-axially therewith, and telescopically associated with the inlet section to mount the latter for rotational and axial movements; means providing a water sealing connection between the metering tube and inlet section; avalving element carried by said inlet section and co-actable with said valve seat; an impeller in the inlet section, operable by water discharging from the metering tube, to rotate the sprinkler head and to move the latter axially in a direction for the valving element to move away from the valve seat; and means operatively connected to said head, and responsive to centrifugal force, to move the head axially in a direction for the valving element to be moved toward the valve seat.

'7. In an overhead irrigating system, an outlet pipe including a metering tube having a valve seat; a sprinkler head including a tubular inlet section; a second tubular section supported by the outlet pipe co-axially therewith, and telescopically associated with the inlet section to mount the latter for rotational yand axial movements; means providing a water sealing connection between the metering tube and inlet section; a valving element carried by said inlet section and co-actable with said valve seat; an impeller in the inlet section, operable by water discharging from the metering tube, to rotate the sprinkler head and to move the latter axially in a direction for the valving element to move away from the valve seat; weighted arms revolubly mounted on the second rsaid section for pivotal movement in response to the action of centrifugal force; and

links pivotally connected to the arms and to said inlet section, to be operated by the arms so as to move the sprinkler head axially in a direction for the valving element to be moved towards the valve seat.

8. In an overhead irrigating system, a vertical outlet pipe adapted for connection to a source of water under pressure; a sprinkler head having a tubular inlet section rotatably mounted and axially movable on the outlet pipe; an impeller in said inlet section, against which water from the outlet pipe impinges to rotate the sprinkler head and tend to move the latter axially in one direction; means operable in response to centrifugal force generated by rotation of the sprinkler head to tend to move the latter axially in the opposite direction; and valve means co-acting with the impeller and last said means to maintain a uniform volume of water flow from the outlet pipe 9. In an overhead irrigating system, a vertical outlet pipe adapted for connection to a source of water under pressure; a sprinkler head having a tubular inlet section rotatably mounted and axially movable on the outlet pipe; an impeller in said inlet section, against which water from the outlet pipe impinges to rotate the sprinkler head and tend to move the latter axially in one direction; means operable in response to centrifugal force generated by rotation of the sprinkler head to tend to move the latter axially in the opposite direction; a valve seat supported by the outlet pipe; and a valving element carried by the inlet section and co-operable with said seat.

l0. In an overhead irrigating system, a vertical outlet pipe adapted for connection to a source of water under pressure; a sprinkler head having a tubular inlet section rotatably mounted and axially movable on the outlet pipe; an impeller in said inlet section having helical grooves co-acting with the internal wall of the inlet section to define helical water channels by which water from the outlet pipe is caused to rotate the sprinkler head and to tend to move the latter axially in one direction; means co-acting With the sprinkler head under the action of centrifugal force generated by rotation of the sprinkler head to tend to move the latter axially in the opposite direction; a valve seat supported by the outlet pipe; and a valving element carried by the impeller and co-operable with said seat.

11. In a iiuid supply system, an outlet adapted for connection to a source of fluid under pressure; a fluid discharge head; means mounting said head co-axially of said outlet for rotation and axial movement in water sealed connection to the outlet so as to receive water therefrom; a valving element carried by said head and co-actable with said outlet to vary the effective size of the latter in response to axial movement of the head; an impeller fixed to rotate with said head and against which water impinges to effect rotation of the head and move same axially in a direction for the valving element to increase the effective size of the outlet; and means operatively connected to said head, and responsive to centrifugal force generated by rotation of the head, to move the latter axially in a direction for the valving element to decrease the effective size of the outlet.

FRIDOLIN BRAUNGART. 

